Iowa Administrative Code

602.7(1) Validity. A noncommercial Class M driver’s license that is not a special license or permit is valid for operating: a. A motorcycle. However, the license may have a restriction that limits operation to a three-wheel motorcycle. b. A motorized bicycle. 602.7(2) Requirement…

602.8(1) Validity. a. A minor’s restricted work license is a restricted, noncommercial Class C or Class M driver’s license. b. The type of motor vehicle that may be operated is controlled by the class of driver’s license issued. A Class C minor’s restricted work license is valid …

602.9(1) Validity. a. A special minor’s restricted license is a restricted, noncommercial Class C or Class M driver’s license. b. The type of motor vehicle that may be operated is controlled by the class of driver’s license issued. A Class C special minor’s restricted license is …

604.1(1) The department is authorized to determine by examination an applicant’s ability to operate motor vehicles safely upon the highways and to issue all driver’s licenses. 604.1(2) This chapter applies to the examination for all driver’s licenses. Information on the additiona…

604.10(1) Knowledge test requirements. The knowledge test requirements are as follows: a. An operator’s knowledge test is required for all classes of noncommercial driver’s licenses and all types of special driver’s licenses and permits. b. A motorcycle knowledge test is required…

ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle under actual traffic conditions. The test may also be called a road test, field test or driving demonstration. A motorcycle skills test is an off-street demonstration of an applicant’s ability to control the moto…

604.12(1) Driving test requirements. The driving test requirements for noncommercial driver’s licenses are as follows. a. Instruction permits. An applicant is not required to obtain an instruction permit for a driving test. b. Class C driver’s licenses. For a Class C driver’s lic…

604.13(1) An applicant who fails to pass a required examination or reexamination will not be licensed. a. If the applicant does not have a valid Iowa license, the department will deny the applicant a license. b. If the applicant has a valid Iowa license, the department will suspe…

pass a required examination or reexamination is to meet the vision standards for licensing and pass the required examination(s) before an Iowa license will be issued. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 307.12(1)“j,” 321.177 and 321.186. [ARC 9578C, IAB 10/1/25,…

604.15(1) As provided in Iowa Code section 321.186, the department may require a special reexamination of any licensee. The reexamination may consist of one or more of the following: a. Medical report. b. Vision report. c. Vision screening. d. Cognitive screening. e. Knowledge te…

“Binocular field of vision” is the sum of the temporal measurements or the sum of the nasal measurements. “License” means “driver’s license” as defined in Iowa Code section 321.1(20A) unless the context otherwise requires. “Monocular field of vision” is the sum of the temporal me…

604.3(1) Applications, forms and information about driver’s license examinations are available at any driver’s license service center. Assistance is also available by mail at Motor Vehicle Division, Iowa Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 9204, Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9204; in…

604.4(1) An examination is to include: a. A vision screening if the person has not filed a vision report. b. A knowledge test of Iowa traffic laws and highway signs. c. A driving test of the person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. 604.4(2) The examination required for a driv…

604.5(1) Method. Prior to issuance, the department will use a vision screening instrument to screen the applicant’s vision. An applicant who uses corrective lenses may be screened with or without the corrective lenses. 604.5(2) Report. A vision report measuring visual acuity leve…

the applicable restrictions are as follows. 604.6(1) Visual acuity standards. a. When the applicant is screened without corrective lenses. If the visual acuity is 20/40 or better with both eyes or with the better eye, no restriction will be imposed. If the visual acuity is less t…

604.7(1) Referral. a. If, during any vision screening, an applicant cannot attain 20/40 with at least one eye but can attain 20/70 with at least one eye, the department will not issue a license to the applicant and will advise the applicant to consult a licensed vision specialist…

604.8(1) Two-year license. An applicant who cannot attain a visual acuity of 20/40 with both eyes or with the better eye will be issued a two-year license. 604.8(2) License denied. a. An applicant who cannot attain a visual acuity of 20/70 with both eyes or with the better eye wi…

604.9(1) Written test. A knowledge test is used to determine an applicant’s ability to read and understand Iowa traffic laws and the highway signs that regulate, warn and direct traffic. The department reserves the right to revise a test at any time and will declare the minimum p…

605.15(5) A licensee who is a foreign national who is temporarily present in this state must provide documentation of lawful status as required by 761—subrule 601.5(4) at each renewal. 605.15(6) An applicant who meets the eligibility criteria may apply for electronic renewal of a…

purposes” as required by 6 CFR Section 37.71 effective January 1, 2024, and any subsequent guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. c. A driver’s license issued to a foreign national who is temporarily present in this state will include the following statement…

605.1(1) Scope. This chapter applies to the issuance of all Iowa driver’s licenses. Additional information on the issuance of a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit is given in 761—Chapter 607. 605.1(2) Information and location. Applications, forms and inf…

605.10(1) Lost, stolen or destroyed license. Prior to replacing a valid license that is lost, stolen or destroyed, the department will verify the licensee’s full legal name, date of birth and social security number and collect the replacement fee. A licensee subject to 761—paragr…

605.11(1) A licensee’s duty to notify the department of a change in the licensee’s mailing address pursuant to Iowa Code section 321.182 shall occur by one of the following methods: a. Submitting the address change to the address listed in subrule 605.1(2) using Form 430012 or a …

605.12(1) Six-month extension. An Iowa resident may apply for a six-month extension of a noncommercial license if the licensee meets all of the following criteria: a. Has a valid license. b. Is eligible for further licensing. c. Is temporarily absent from Iowa or is temporarily i…

605.13(1) Application. A person who qualifies for a military extension of a valid license under Iowa Code section 321.198 and who wishes to have a record of the person’s military service extension recorded in the department’s computerized issuance system shall apply to the depart…

computed on a full-year basis. The fee is charged for each year or part of a year between the date of the change and the expiration date on the license. 605.14(1) The fee to upgrade a driver’s license from one class to another is determined by computing the difference between the…

605.15(1) A licensee who wishes to renew a driver’s license is to apply to the department and, if required, pass the appropriate examination. 605.15(2) A valid noncommercial license may be renewed within 180 days before the expiration date. The department for good cause may renew…

driver’s license requirements under Iowa Code section 321.180B who is otherwise eligible for a driver’s license may electronically apply to upgrade the applicant’s driver’s license. 605.16(1) Except for the requirements in subparagraphs 605.15(6)“a”(1) and “a”(2), an eligible app…

definitions apply to this chapter. “Interstate or freeway driving” means fully and partially controlled access roads with a speed limit of 65 miles per hour or more for the purposes of this chapter. “License” means “driver’s license” as defined in Iowa Code section 321.1(20A) unl…

605.3(1) The department will not knowingly issue a license to any person who: a. Is ineligible for licensing. b. Is unable to operate a motor vehicle safely because of a physical or mental disability until that person submits a medical report or vision report stating that the per…

321.189(2), the following information will be shown on a driver’s license. 605.4(1) Name. The licensee’s full legal name will be listed as established according to 761—subrules 601.5(1) and 601.5(5) and will conform to the requirements of 761—subrule 601.1(2). 605.4(2) Current re…

using these codes: Class A—commercial driver’s license Class B—commercial driver’s license Class C—commercial driver’s license Class C—noncommercial driver’s license Class D—noncommercial driver’s license, chauffeur Class M—noncommercial driver’s license, motorcycle only This rul…

explained in text on the back of the driver’s license. 605.6(1) For a commercial driver’s license. The following endorsements may be added to a Class A, B or C commercial driver’s license using these letter codes: H—Hazardous material P—Passenger N—Tank X—Hazardous material and t…

in text on the back of the driver’s license. For purposes of this rule, “CMV” means commercial motor vehicle. 605.7(1) For all licenses. The following restrictions may apply to any driver’s license: B—Corrective lenses required C—Mechanical aid (as detailed in the restriction on …

license or nonoperator’s identification card issued to a person who is a foreign national who is temporarily present in this state shall be issued only for the length of time the person is authorized to be present in the United States as verified by the department, not to exceed …

section 321.191 and this chapter. A license fee may be paid by cash, check, credit card, debit card, money order or an escrow account if approved by the department. 605.9(1) If the payment is by check, the check shall be for the exact amount of the fee and payable to: Treasurer, …

vehicles. Unless otherwise stated, the provisions of this chapter are in addition to other motor vehicle licensing rules in Iowa Code chapter 321. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 321.188. [ARC 9579C, IAB 10/1/25, effective 11/5/25]

607.10(1) Validity. a. A commercial learner’s permit allows the permit holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle when accompanied as required by Iowa Code section 321.180(2)“d.” b. A commercial learner’s permit is valid for one year without retaking the general and endorsement…

required under this chapter, an applicant for a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit is subject to the examination requirements, and must comply with the vision screening and vision standards, in 761—Chapter 604. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code …

607.12(1) General knowledge test. The general knowledge test for a commercial driver’s license is a written test of topics such as vehicle inspection, operation, safety and control in accordance with 49 CFR Section 383.111. 607.12(2) Additional tests. In addition to the general k…

607.13(1) Content. The skills test for a commercial driver’s license is a three-part test as required in 49 CFR Part 383, Subparts E, G and H. 607.13(2) Test methods. All skills tests will be administered in compliance with 49 CFR Section 383.133(c). Interpreters are prohibited d…

607.14(1) Purpose and definitions. The knowledge tests required by rule 761—607.12(321) and the skills test required by rule 761—607.13(321) may be administered by third-party testers and third-party test examiners approved and certified by the department. For the purpose of admi…

607.15(1) Period of validity. Passing knowledge and skills test results remain valid for a period of one year. 607.15(2) Retesting. Subject to rule 761—607.13(321), an applicant will be required to repeat only the knowledge test(s) or part(s) of the skills test that the applicant…

607.16(1) Role of state of duty station. The department may accept an application for a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit, including an application for waiver of the knowledge test as provided in subrule 607.12(5), if the applicant is an active duty milit…

driver’s license renewals as required by 49 CFR Section 383.73. 607.17(1) Licensee requirements. Unless eligible for electronic renewal pursuant to subrule 761—605.25(8), to renew a commercial driver’s license, the licensee shall apply at a driver’s license service center and com…

resident who has a valid commercial driver’s license from a former state of residence is not required to retest except as specified in Iowa Code section 321.188(5) but is required to pay the applicable endorsement and restriction removal fees. This rule is intended to implement I…

607.19(1) Date. A disqualifying act, action or offense under Iowa Code section 321.208, that occurred before July 1, 1990, shall not be grounds for disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle. 607.19(2) Notice. A 30-day advance notice of disqualification shall be s…

607.2(1) Information and location. Applications, forms and information about the commercial driver’s license (CDL) are available at any driver’s license service center. Assistance is also available by mail from the Motor Vehicle Division, Iowa Department of Transportation, P.O. B…

revoked or barred, the person is also disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 321.208. [ARC 9579C, IAB 10/1/25, effective 11/5/25]

of disqualification, a person must appear at a driver’s license service center, meet the vision standards for licensing, pass the applicable knowledge test(s) and the skills test, and pay the required reinstatement fee and the fees for a new license. This rule is intended to impl…